Chester County SPCA hires new executive director

WEST GOSHEN >> The Chester County SPCA has fulfilled a promise early to find a new executive director after the dismissal of Russell “Wolf” Harper back in June.

Adam Lamb, a former director of operations at an SPCA location in Florida, will start on Sept. 1, according to David Long, CCSPCA board member and chair of the Executive Search Committee.

“Our board felt strongly that Adam was an outstanding candidate whose expertise and experience most closely aligned to the current and future needs of our organization. We are elated to have a person of his caliber as the new leader,” said Long. The CCSPCA’s board of directors unanimously approved Lamb’s appointment.

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The announcement came at around 4 p.m. Tuesday via a press release from the CCSPCA.

According to the release, “…with over 10 years’ experience in animal welfare, Mr. Lamb is currently the Director of Operations at SPCA Florida where he leads a staff of over 80 people, manages the high-volume medical clinic, and directs the Adoption Center. During his tenure in this position, he was responsible for growing the spay and neuter program by over 150 percent; established solid relationships with area rescue groups, governmental animal control departments, and volunteer agencies; and secured donations to build a large trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) program.

“Prior to joining SPCA Florida, Mr. Lamb was the Director of Medical Operations at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for three years. His background includes animal protection and training as a veterinary technician.”

Other CCSPCA officials expressed similar praise for Lamb.

“The CCSPCA was in the happy position of having a wealth of great candidates to choose from. We narrowed it down to a handful, and though I have no doubt any of the others would have been great choices, Adam Lamb’s experience as a leader and innovator in life saving will help us make the Chester County SPCA a model for the entire region,“ said Patricia Biswanger, president of the CCSPCA board of directors.

The move to make the hire came after interim executive director Russell “Wolf” Harper was let go in late June in a surprise move.

Despite Harper’s sudden departure, officials of the SPCA said the organization was “on the right track.”

“This SPCA is on the right track, and will continue to improve and deliver high-quality care to our animals,” board President Pat Biswanger said at the time. “That is thanks to the staff, not any executive director.”

Biswanger said that despite some criticisms of the shelter’s move, it was done with the animals in mind. Community members have criticized Harper’s firing on social media, with many blaming the board and questioning its motives.

“I am constrained from telling the entire story, but anything we do, we do for the benefit of the animals,” said Biswanger. “There should not be any doubt about that. This wasn’t about politics or egos or any of the other motivations that are ascribed to us.”

She called Harper a “very talented, passionate guy” but said that “his talents work better in a different setting.”

Harper, who is a co-founder of Justice Rescue, an animal rescue group, said he felt he was able to begin to implement changes in procedures at the shelter during his short tenure. He said that he was “shocked” that he was let go before his contract expired.

“I had the support, the community and all the stakeholders involved to make this a world class shelter over time and I see now where the mistakes in the past have been to make it from being that,” Harper said.

The shelter has been hit with controversy over the past year, beginning in the summer of 2013 when former volunteers and staff members alleged the shelter was being mismanaged. Following the installation of a new board in October, the CCSPCA has continued to be criticized following the heated resignations of board members and two police incidents that involved staff and volunteers.

About the Author

Andy Hachadorian is a veteran suburban Philadelphia editor and writer. He has won local, state and national writing awards. He also blogs for the Daily Local News. Reach the author at andyh@dailylocal.com
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